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China defends its South China Sea reclamations

21st April 2015 - 13:24 GMT | by Gordon Arthur in Hong Kong

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Recent satellite imagery reveals China’s progress in reclaiming land in the South China Sea continues unabated. Significantly, Beijing is now building its first ever runway in the disputed Spratly Islands.

This construction is taking place at Fiery Cross Reef, 1,000+km from China’s coast, and by late March an area 503m x 53m for the 3,300m runway had already been paved. An apron measuring 400m x 20m has been constructed to date too.

China began reclamation work there late last year, and the reef is likely to host a runway 3,000m long. A harbour is also being constructed on the reef,

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